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Tag: summer

As we are quickly approaching the last couple weeks of (official) summer, I just wanted to put together a quick little blog post of my highlights from the summer. I’ve been back at school for a week and a half now an reminiscing about all the fun times and wishing I was still sitting by the beach and soaking in the sun. I hope you all enjoy this post and please comment some of your favorite summer moments down below!

1. Internship in Singapore- I was extremely lucky to be able to go back to my high school in Singapore for the last 5 weeks of their school year and intern with one of the programs I fell in love with. I was able to work directly with teachers and was even given the ability to run a few of my own classes and activities. Being a teacher is something that means a lot to me and this opportunity only made me realize my dream even more. It was amazing to be able to work directly with students and to learn so much from the teachers who were gracious enough to mentor me. I started my internship the day after school ended, and although it was difficult at times it was also an incredible experience.

I don’t have a real photo so please enjoy this mirror selfie from my first day at work.

2. Food adventures back home- While I was working, I also had so much time to relax in Singapore and spend time with my family. And of course, a lot of our time was spent eating at our favorite places (and some new places) around the island. I only put 5 photos in this post because if I put all the photos in you would be here forever. As you can see (here and on my Instagram: @swimeatlove) I had a lot of Asian food simply because I was craving it SO MUCH after being back in LA for a semester. I honestly can’t pick a favorite or highlight meal because everything I had was so good. But I loved that I was able to enjoy a fine dining meal (at Level 33) as well as a simple food court meal of chicken rice.

Dim Sum and noodles from Paradise Dynasty

Pastas and pizza from 2it & drink

Dim Sum from Imperial Treasure

Chicken rice from a local food court

Seared tuna from Level 33

3. Beach getaway in Phuket- I wrote a whole big post on my trip to Phuket, so I’m going to keep this one short and sweet (but go check out the other post if you want to see more!). Most people already know this about me, but I’m obsessed with the beach, so getting to spend a few days in one of my favorite places with my family was definitely a highlight for this summer. We were all able to just chill and lounge around by the beach or pool sipping on mojitos and pina coladas- it was perfect! We stayed at our favorite resort (Le Meridien, Phuket) and loved the food, the spa and of course the private beach and sprawling pool. We got to go out to the town each evening and explored the area and ate at some of our favorite places around Phuket. It was the perfect summer getaway.

Beach bummin’

Yum dinner from EAT. restaurant & bar

Palm trees for days

Happy hour, tropical style

4. Lake days- After all of the fun times in Singapore, and a chaotic international move, we finally got back to some stability by spending over a month at our family lake house, which we do every summer. Nestled in between the mountains, the serene lake is by far one of my favorite places to be. There are so little distractions (we just got a flushing toilet last year and wifi this year!) and it’s just so peaceful. I spend the days lifeguarding and hanging by the lake, and then we spend the afternoons looking for the best and freshest summer produce which we then use to make fun, summery meals. We have game nights, do BBQs and have fun with fireworks and sparklers and it’s seriously the best thing ever. I look forward to being back at the lake the day after I leave. It’s the absolute epitome of summer.

Lunch views

I scream, u scream

Early morning views

5. Adventuring Tokyo- After leaving the lake for the summer, I was able to spend a full week back in Tokyo (which also happens to be our new home). While we spend time in Tokyo every summer, this year it was all about finding the comfort and familiarities of the city that would help to make it feel like home. We did some of the things we love to do (shopping in Shibuya, eating at our favorite restaurants), but we also did some things we’d never done before. Of course we discovered some new restaurants that will definitely be added to our go-to list, but we also did some fun new things like going to the summer festival (matsuri) in Azabu Juuban and exploring the neighborhood around our new house. I loved being able to spend my last week of summer with the people I love doing what I love (basically eating and traveling, haha!).

Busy streets of Shibuya

Pasta and prosecco, HAPPY GIRL

Evening skies from the backstreets

Noodles on noodles on noodles

Juban matsuri celebrations

I hope you all had as good a summer as I had. It was by far the best one yet. Enjoy the last little bit of the warm weather and I hope ya’ll are getting excited for fall!

It’s finally that time of the year where we’re all whipping out our bikinis/suits and headed to spend time at the beach, the lake or even just by the pool, soaking in every ounce of sunlight in hopes to get that perfectly sun-kissed skin. Today’s post is going to be all of my summer beauty tips and go-to’s to get you looking fresh, relaxed and glowing. Under each section I have linked some of the products I have been loving this summer. Happy summer!

The Perfect Tan:

Prep the canvas- If there’s one thing I love more than anything, it’s having beautifully tanned and glowing skin. It’s taken me a while to figure out how to keep my skin healthy and hydrated while still deepening the color, but I finally figured out what works for me. Before I begin spending time out in the sun I always exfoliate. Using either a scrub or a loofah works, as long as you are getting rid of the dead skin cells. If you go out in the sun with lot’s of dead skin cells, you will likely peel easily. But having freshly polished skin is the perfect canvas for a beautiful tan.

Protect, protect, protect!- One thing that took me a long time to learn was that sunscreen actually helps to preserve a tan. I know a lot of you already know that, but I always thought that sunscreen avoided a tan, but it actually just avoids getting burnt and helps create a more even tan. If you’re spending a long time out in the sun, be sure to reapply every 60-90 minutes, and maybe even more frequently if you’re in the water. And don’t forget how dangerous direct UV rays can be; protect yourself while looking gorgeous!

Hydrate inside and out- After a day (or even a couple of hours) in the sun, your skin will be dying for moisture. Use a cooling aloe vera gel or a deep moisturizer all over your body and let your skin drink it up. I’ve been using the Celavive skincare line for my face while I have been obsessed with (link to purchase is down below!). Along with hydrating the outside, don’t forget the power of hydration from the inside. Load up on water and you’ll be feeling hydrated all around.

Elevate your tan- If you’re looking to get that extra glow, maybe for a night out or brunch with the girls, use a temporary tanning/glow spray. I like to just add a little bit to my arms and legs to elevate my tan and help my skin look extra glowy.

Natural with neutrals- During the summer I always keep my make-up super minimal. I tend to gear towards the browns and golds and look for face products that leave me with a dewy look. Some of the products I’ve been using are the Tarte Leave Your Mark palette which has beauty neutrals in a mix of mattes and shimmers, the Fenty Beauty Match Stix in Yacht Lyfe, and the Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes. I typically don’t use anything on my skin, but if I do I’ll reach for a light CC cream or a tinted moisturizer over a high coverage foundation.

Spritz it up- For my hair, I like to have that messy and care-free (but still cute) look. I do a lot of half-up buns, messy buns and beach waves to keep my hair bouncy and voluminous, but out of my face. The Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe texturizing hair cream and sea salt spray have been my absolute go-to’s over the past few summers. Just spraying a little bit or combing some through damp hair allows your hair to dry with that satisfying feeling of salt water in your hair without drying it out. Put that together with a stunning tan and your look will call beach bum all the way.

Treat yourself- Another thing I love about the summer (other than the sun, the beach, the food and almost everything else) is the care-free attitude that comes along with it. With longer days and less to do, I love spending some time to have a little pamper sesh. Whether it’s getting a cute mani-pedi (pastels are great for summer!), taking a bath with a Lush bath bomb (I love Sex Bomb during the summer), or as simple as putting on a face mask, it’s so important for you to take some time to take care of yourself (and your skin will thank you too!).

Take it up a notch- If you can afford the resources, step it up a notch and treat yourself to a summer-friendly spa treatment. Look for a body mask/treatment that is meant to hydrate your skin. Last week when I was in Phuket, I got an Aloe Vera Body Treatment which was meant to re-hydrate skin after being out in the sun and to help retain your summer glow. It worked wonders for me and helped me look radiant for days after (and I didn’t peel!). A summers day at the spa will leave you feeling extra relaxed and oh-so pampered.

Bikini season- I LOVE a cute bikini combo, and I’ve found over the years that the way to find the perfect pair is to mix and match. Mixing solids or mixing solids and prints is an easy way to step up your bikini game so you’re looking cute and fresh at the beach. As well as mixing prints, I like to look at different stores and brands for a bikini pair. I often times find the cutest matched when mixing brands. Don’t be afraid to try something different and bold, a little bit of sunshine and the beach in the back can make anything look adorable.

Cover-ups- My wardrobe in the summer typically consists of a few shorts, a couple tank-tops and a TON of cover-ups. They’re super easy to slip on over a bikini before a day at the beach or pool, but they can also be dressed up for a casual summer outfit. I love playing with bright colors since you can typically get away with that during the summer, and also playing with different styles. Whether it’s a low back, a deep V or cut sides, I think cover-ups are the best way to get away with anything.

Dress it up- Going out for a night or want to wear something a little nicer? One of my favorite things to do it to grab one of my Dad’s aloha/printed button-up shirts and tie it at the bottom to make it a crop. I’ll pair it with some white jean shorts and it makes for a super cute summer outfit. It’s a little more dressed up but still screaming summer all the way.

The best welcome to the best place in the world: Lake Nojiri, Japan!Just another day on the job.Evening views from the onsen (hot spring) on top of the mountain.Foggy or not, still gorgeous.When the lake looks better then you.

…and when the lake looks better than anything else.Morning boat outings on the lake.You don’t complain when this is your work view.

Happy summer! Here are the things I’ve been loving this summer. I will try to leave as many links down below at the end of this post. And please let me know what you’re loving this summer in the comments below!

I’ve always been the person who would mix and match my bikini sets. My current favorite is my Cotton On Body black bikini top with my Hollister hot pink bottoms. The black looks great with a tan and the pink adds a nice pop of color.During the summer, I typically don’t like to wear a lot of make-up, but when I do, I always always always use this The Body Shop bronzing gel. It’s very lightweight and adds a nice shimmery glow.Although I naturally get tanner during the summer months, when I get dressed up for a night out, I love spraying on this Sephora self-tanning body mist. It’s a very fine mist, doesn’t leave streaks and leaves a nice glowy finish.Although I have been lifting for a while, I’ve never tried crossfit until I watched the documentary, Fittest On Earth. And now that I’ve started, I’m hooked. Your heart rate goes up almost right away and even over the first 2 weeks I felt myself getting much stronger.I am OBSESSED with everything Kate Spade, and when I saw this coconut cross-body on sale, I had to get it. It’s the perfect size to fit my phone, cards and money, and looks so good with any summery outfit, day or night.Last summer, my family was constantly on the lookout for good poke restaurants, and this summer we decided to start making it at home, and it’s delicious! To make it healthier, add tons more veggies and swap out white rice for a brown rice.This is kind of obvious, because it’s summer, but I have been out in the sun every second that the sun is out. I take my book (for summer reading) and try to get through about 20 pages every day. I also (I know this is weird) have been reading old issues of People. I don’t know why, but I’ve been loving it. My mom has always stressed the importance of getting tan, not burnt, so I use the Coppertone Sport on my body and the Neutrogena ultra sheer on my face. I have not gotten burnt at all so far, but I have a deep tan:)Since I’m counting down the days I have left in Singapore, I’ve been paying extra attention to all the things I may have taken for granted over the last 18 years. Since the weather has been so nice and the sky has been so clear, the sunsets have been absolutely stunning! #nofilter*Disclaimer: I am of legal drinking age in Singapore (the drinking age is 18).Tiger beer is the local beer in Singapore, and now that I am 18, I have been loving being able to drink a local drink. Although it may not be the best beer in the world, it gives me such a sense of home.

What’s better than a great workout… a great workout in the comfort of your own home while watching Friends. Whether you’re on the road, stuck in a hotel room or just too lazy to get over to the gym, this at-home workout will have you sweating y0ur butt off!

3 x 15 air squats

5 x 20 (total) high-knees

5 x 20 double skips

3 x 20 (total) lunge pulses

3 x 10 (total) front kicks

4 x 30 second plank

5 x 10 plank butt-ups

3 x 20 (total) fire hydrants

3 x 15 push-up pulses

4 x 20 (total) donkey kicks

3 x 30 reverse crunches

3 x 20 glute bridges

If you try this workout out, make sure to snap a picture and leave it in the comments:) Happy training!